Buffer device



July 28, 1925.

A. E. NORRIS BUFFER DEVICE Filed May 5 Patented July 28, 1925.

, UNITED STATE-s PATENT E' ALMoN' nnoimrs, or BRooKLrNE, MASSACHUSETTS.

T BUFFER DEVICE.

' Application filed May 5,

T aZZ whom z'fmay concern.

Be it knownthat I, ALMON: E. NORRIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brookline, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have inapplications.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. i

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a buffer device equipped with one form of the inventionyand' i w Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the buffer device shown in Fig. 1. I

Referring to the drawings and to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, I have there shown a bufler device of the general type shown in my prior Patent No. 1,323,608, dated December 2, 1919. This consists of a rectangular frame having sides 3 formed of angle irons, the under sides of which are each provided with a buffer plate or shoe 5 located above the respective rails of the trackway 7 on which the trolley carriage or other vehicle is adapted to; travel. The sides 3 of the frame are connected by cross pieces 9, the latter being united by the diagonal braces 11. They are suspended at their rear ends by links 7 13 pivoted on supports 15 secured to the cross girder 17, the latter comprising a part of the stationary buffer framework and supported by the upright girders 19. The two forward corners of the frame are suspended by the links 21 pivoted at 23 to overhead supports 25 secured to the upright girders 27. The bolts 29 which connect the sides 3 to the links 21 each work in a slot 31 in its link so that the frame is capable of be- 1924. Serial No. 710,961. 7

ing lifted slightly at its front end rela tively to the links, as represented in the full line position in Fig. 2. The bolts 29 also serve pivotally to secure to the side members 3 aspring'supporting bracket between which and a corresponding over-1 head bracket35 pivoted with the links at 23 there is provided a series of springs 37 of. suitable strength to secure the desired friction of the buffer shoe against the trolley wheels.

When the trolley wheel reaches the position, represented at m in Fig. 2, it contacts with the under face of the shoe and "the momentum causes the forward end of the buffer frame to lift slightly, compressing the springs 37, the bolts 29 lifting. in .the slots 31. As the trolley wheel advances beneath the buffer frame, itmeets: withan increasing friction, the springs exerting an increasing leverage as the wheel moves to Ward the position y. This increased braking effect brings the trolley to rest before it reaches the position y, there being, however, provided cushion blocks 39 to act as safety stops. d

When the trolley moves into the buffer the frame is brought" to restagainst the]? stops 41. Owing to its suspension on the links, however,-the frame is free to move in the opposite direction, such opposite movement, due to the link suspension, be ing accompanied by a lifting movement and a withdrawal of the frictional pressure of the shoe from the trolley wheel. On the first movement of the trolley, therefore, the

frame ismoved toward the dotted line po- I sition (indicated at Fig. 2) releasing the wheels.

A buffer of this description depends for its effectiveness on its frame being normally in its rearward position against the stops 41. If, when the trolley reaches the buffer, the latter is in a position approximating the dotted line position shown, it becomes less effective and may be entirely ineffective in checking the momentum of the car. Due to the rusting of the connections or improper installation of the frame, or other causes, it may happen that the bufier, when thrown outward by the previous withdrawal of the trolley carriage, tends to remain in that position (such as the dotted line position shown) and thereby become inefiective to serve its intended purpose.

anchored each at one end to the eye-bolt 4E5 fastened to the cross girder 17 and at the opposite end to fastenings 1: 7 on the central cross member 9. These springs serve normally at all times to draw the buffer frame back against the stops 41 so that the trolley 'carriage is assured "of having exerted against it full friction of the buffer shoe 5 and buffer springs 37, but they act with yielding force, such that the reversal of the trolley carriage movement will suffice to swing the frame outward, distending the springs and permitting the release of the carriage.

While I have herein shown for the purpose of illustration one specific embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that extensive deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims.

1. The combination with a trackway, of a wheeled vehicle .and aubuffer, the latter comprising a frame adapted to engage the wheels .and check the movement of the vehicle, links suspending said frame and permitting inward and outward movement thereof, means for forcing the receiving end 4 o the frame toward the wheels, the suspen sion of the frame being such as to relieve the .pressure on its outward movement under thereverse movement of the trolley, and

yieldable means normally drawing the frame toward its inward position.

2. The combination with a tra'ckway, of a buffer frame, suspension links for the frame, the latter being movable vertically at the receiving end thereo'f, resilient means normally pressing said forward end toward a wheel engaging position, and a spring normally moving; the frame inwardly.

3. The combination with a trackway, of

a buffer frame, meanssupportingthe frame to permit inward and outward movement, means yieldably presslng the truck receiving end of the frame toward the trackway,

said frame being yieldable on outward movement of the truck, and means yieldably holding the frame toward its inward position.

4. The combination with. :a trackway, of a buffer member suspended above the trackway,'the outward end of the frame having a yieldable suspension and said frame when moved outwardly having imparted thereto a lifting movement, and means for yieldably moving the frame to its inward position.

5. The combination with a. trackway, ofa buffer comprising a frame, the outward end of which? is resiliently supported to yield upwardly, and the frame as a whole being mounted to move outwardly and upwardly, a stop to position the frame normally in its inward movement, and means ieldably moving said frame inwardly towar l its stop position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name 'to this specification.

ALMON E. NORRIS; 

